Waynesboro Borough Council to consider ordinance for pawn shops/second-hand stores

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By Denise Bonura/The Record Herald

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Denise Bonura/The Record Herald

Posted May. 8, 2014 at 3:30 PM

By Denise Bonura/The Record Herald

Posted May. 8, 2014 at 3:30 PM

Waynesboro, Pa.

The borough is looking into adopting a pawn shop/second-hand store ordinance to curb the sale of stolen items at borough businesses.

Police Chief James Sourbier IV asked Waynesboro Borough Council Wednesday to consider drafting an ordinance that helps both the business owner and the police department.

“For the sake of legitimacy, I would like to facilitate something that requires proper documentation, and basic rules and regulations that would be both beneficial for business and for us,” Sourbier said.

He added without the proper identification from sellers, the business owner has no way of knowing items were stolen. Sourbier said it sometimes takes awhile before the police department can find the stolen merchandise. Once the police department learns of a theft, it tries to seize the items, which typically causes the business owner to lose money.

“It is not my goal to stymie their way of living,” he said, adding his goal is to help prevent them from becoming a victim.

Sourbier wants to meet with business owners to get “known expectations from them.”

“We need to have a set of rules we can all agree we can live by,” he added.

Borough Manager Lloyd Hamberger said there are ordinances from other municipalities the borough can use as a guideline. Council suggested Sourbier meet with council’s property and public safety committee, and borough solicitor Sam Wiser, and bring some suggestions back to council.